]]>Mazda’s all-new Mazda3 has been recognized for its design by the Red Dot organization.

The latest C-segment hatchback from Mazda was honored with a ‘Red Dot Award: Product Design 2014’ in Germany.

Mazda explained the design-oriented Red Dot recognition for the new Mazda3 echoes the ongoing and widespread acclaim for the motion-inspired KODO-Soul of Motion design theme featured on the Japanese carmaker’s new generation of models.

The all-new Mazda3’s superb design innovation, functionality and ergonomics were among the decisive factors for the 40-strong jury of independent design experts when deciding on recipients of a 2014 Red Dot Award, added Mazda. The all-new hatchback follows the path of the Mazda6, another KODO model, which won the same prize last year.

According to Mazda, KODO embodies the Mazda brand’s vitality and is thus a perfect match for the company’s convention-defying SKYACTIV technology – the basis for uncompromisingly efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles.

All three KODO-inspired production models, the Mazda CX-5 compact SUV, the Mazda6 and all-new Mazda3 have been honored for their designs.

The next major honor could be just around the corner for this small hatchback as the new Mazda3 is short-listed as one of the top three finalists for UK’s 2014 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) title and 2014 World Car Design of the Year crown.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/red-dot-award-for-mazda3/feed/0Four Million Mazda3s Producedhttp://www.hybridcars.com/four-million-mazda3s-produced/
http://www.hybridcars.com/four-million-mazda3s-produced/#commentsThu, 27 Feb 2014 05:51:29 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=127209The Mazda3 compact car has reached four million units produced ten years and seven months after production of the original Mazda3 began in June 2003. The predecessor to the Mazda3 was the Mazda Protégé, itself replacing the Mazda 323. Mazda Motor Corporation announced February 26 that cumulative production of the Mazda3 (known as Mazda Axela […]

]]>The Mazda3 compact car has reached four million units produced ten years and seven months after production of the original Mazda3 began in June 2003.

The predecessor to the Mazda3 was the Mazda Protégé, itself replacing the Mazda 323.

Mazda Motor Corporation announced February 26 that cumulative production of the Mazda3 (known as Mazda Axela in Japan) reached four million units on January 22, 2014.

The company stated no other Mazda model has reached the milestone as quickly. The Mazda3 is one of the core models in the Mazda line-up, having been sold in over 120 countries and regions, and accounting for approximately 30 percent of the company’s annual sales volume.

Currently, Mazda produces the Mazda3 in its Hofu Plant (Japan), the Changan Mazda Automobile plant (China), Auto Alliance (Thailand), and Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation (Mexico), where production started in January 2014.

Mazda said the Mazda3 has consistently exceeded the expectations of customers since the launch of the first-generation model, and has been acclaimed for its emotional design, responsive handling, and high fun-to-drive factor.

The model was fully redesigned for the third time in 2013, becoming the third in Mazda’s new generation of products adopting both SKYACTIV Technology and the KODO—Soul of Motion design theme. Sales commenced in North America in autumn of the same year, followed by Europe, Japan, Australia and others.

Mazda explained a hybrid version has been added to the model line-up in Japan in order to meet customers’ diversifying needs with both outstanding environmental and safety performance and Mazda’s hallmark driving pleasure, but the hybrid version is currently only available in Japan.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/four-million-mazda3s-produced/feed/0Mazda3 Mazda6 And CX-5 Rated Top Safety Pick+http://www.hybridcars.com/mazda3-mazda6-and-cx-5-rated-top-safety-pick/
http://www.hybridcars.com/mazda3-mazda6-and-cx-5-rated-top-safety-pick/#commentsFri, 20 Dec 2013 07:28:20 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=105562Mazda’s redesigned 2014 Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5 earned a “Top Safety Pick+” distinction from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). “A redesign is not simply a matter of changing a vehicle’s sheet metal draping but involves dramatically altering its insides, outsides and everything in between to make that vehicle not only look great but […]

“A redesign is not simply a matter of changing a vehicle’s sheet metal draping but involves dramatically altering its insides, outsides and everything in between to make that vehicle not only look great but be more efficient, more powerful and, most importantly, safer,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). “With our new fleet of SKYACTIV vehicles, the 2014 Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5 were created to be the best in their segments from fuel economy and safety to dynamics and performance, and having earned Top Safety Pick+ distinctions is further proof to their success.”

IIHS had new criteria this year; a Top Safety Pick award now requires a “Good” performance in the Institute’s moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests and, for the first time, requires “Good” or “Acceptable” performance in the small overlap front test that was introduced in 2012. The same level of performance in those tests, along with at least a “Basic” rating for front crash prevention, is required for the highest accolade of Top Safety Pick+.

The 2014 Mazda3 and CX-5 both earned a Good rating for all crash impact tests and an Advanced rating for front crash prevention.

The 2014 Mazda6 also received an Advanced rating for front crash prevention and a rating of Good for all crash impact tests while earning a grade of Acceptable in the small overlap test.

Mazda said all vehicles feature a suite of active-safety pre-crash detection systems collectively known as i-ACTIVSENSE. These technologies use sensing devices such as milliwave radars and cameras to support the driver in recognizing hazards, avoiding collisions and minimizing damage should accidents occur. While these systems will not eliminate accidents, their intent is to minimize them and reduce the severity of a crash.

As listed by Mazda, the features available under i-ACTIVSENSE for North America are:

High Beam Control – The system automatically switches the headlamps between high and low beams.

Blind Spot Monitoring – This safety confirmation system detects objects located in blind-spot areas to the sides and rear of the vehicle and issues a visual alert within the outside mirrors for the driver to see. Should the turn signal be on for the direction in which the “blind” object is located, audible beeps will alert the driver.

Rear Cross Traffic Alert – Using the same sensor as Blind Spot Monitoring, this system detects and informs the driver of any vehicle approaching from the side while the driver is reversing out of a parking space.

Lane Departure Warning System – This system monitors the lane markings on the road and issues a warning to the driver when it predicts that the vehicle is going to depart from its lane unintentionally.

Forward Obstruction Warning – This system monitors the road ahead and issues both audible and visual alerts to help the driver take evasive action when it determines a high risk of collision to exist. FOW operates when traveling between speeds of 9 and 92 mph.

Smart City Brake Support – When traveling at speeds of less than 19 mph, SCBS helps prevent or minimize a collision with a vehicle. Should the imbedded laser sensor detect an object, and the system calculates there may be a high risk for collision, the brake pedal travel is reduced in order to hasten braking. Should the driver fail to perform an avoidance maneuver, the system will activate an automatic braking function.

Mazda Radar Cruise Control – The system determines the difference in speed and distance to the vehicle in front and will automatically adjust the cruising speed in order to maintain a safe distance. (Not available on CX-5.)

Adaptive Front-lighting System – Optimizes distribution of light from the headlights in accordance to driving circumstances. Depending on vehicle speed and steering input, AFS turns the low-beam headlights up to 15 degrees into the direction the driver intends to travel.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/mazda3-mazda6-and-cx-5-rated-top-safety-pick/feed/0Mazda3 Is 10 Millionth Mazda Sold In UShttp://www.hybridcars.com/mazda3-is-10-millionth-mazda-sold-in-us/
http://www.hybridcars.com/mazda3-is-10-millionth-mazda-sold-in-us/#commentsTue, 22 Oct 2013 15:55:57 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=83545Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) announced today that it recently sold its 10-millionth vehicle in the United States, since starting U.S. sales operations in 1970. The 10-millionth vehicle, a 2013 Mazda3, was sold from Continental Mazda of Naperville, Ill., to Lauren Carter of Glen Ellyn, Ill. To celebrate this significant milestone, Mazda has replaced Carter’s […]

]]>Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) announced today that it recently sold its 10-millionth vehicle in the United States, since starting U.S. sales operations in 1970.

The 10-millionth vehicle, a 2013 Mazda3, was sold from Continental Mazda of Naperville, Ill., to Lauren Carter of Glen Ellyn, Ill.

To celebrate this significant milestone, Mazda has replaced Carter’s recently purchased 2013 Mazda3 with an all-new 2014 Mazda3, and the 10-millionth vehicle will become a permanent part of the Mazda heritage collection.

“The first 10 million vehicles sold in the U.S. were reached through taking the road less traveled,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. “The next 10 million will be accomplished by defying convention, continuing to push the limits of engineering and infusing every vehicle Mazda builds with the soul of a sports car. We are honored to work with Lauren and are glad she is part of this occasion. We couldn’t be any happier that she chose Mazda as her first new car.”

Mazda said Carter, a 26-year old accounts receivable specialist and guitar teacher, was in the market for a sporty, fun-to-drive car that has plenty of storage and still achieves high MPG numbers. After conducting her research, Carter bought her first new car, a 2013 Mazda3. Unbeknownst to her, it would be the 10-millionth Mazda ever sold.

“I chose a Mazda because I did the research and learned that Mazda has some of the most reliable, feature-packed cars on the market,” said Lauren Carter, Mazda’s 10-millionth customer. “Mazda’s cars are designed for people who are looking to get more out of their vehicle. I compared Mazda with other brands and models before purchasing and those other cars didn’t compare. The Mazda3 is fun to drive and I can fit my guitar and amplifier in the trunk. For me, there’s nothing better!”

According to Mazda, the all-new 2014 Mazda3 is a segment leader in fuel economy, design and technology. It achieves up to 41 MPG highway, has segment-first technology, like its Active Driving Display, i-ELOOP regenerative engine breaking system and an advanced suite of i-ACTIVSENSE safety technologies.

Since selling its first vehicle in the United States in 1970, in the form of the rotary-powered R100, Mazda said it continues to be a company built on the foundation of engineering, taking the road less-traveled and producing vehicles for those who love to drive.

In 1978, Mazda introduced the rotary-powered RX-7 and in1989, the company introduced the MX-5 Miata, which went on to become the best-selling two-seat roadster in the world with more than 900,000 sold.

In 2004, Mazda launched the Mazda3, an all-new sedan and 5-door vehicle that, per Mazda, would bring segment-firsts like four-wheel disc brakes, xenon headlights, and leather seating to a class that had been filled with mundane driving appliances.

Mazda is the only car manufacturer to mass-produce the unique rotary engine, having built and sold nearly two million rotary-powered vehicles globally. Additionally, Mazda is the first and only Japanese manufacturer to have won the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans, in 1991.

Mazda said the company continues to look to the future while honoring its past. The company recently launched its all-new engineering philosophy, SKYACTIV Technology, a suite of design and engineering technologies intended to maximize fuel efficiency without sacrificing driving dynamics. Alongside SKYACTIV Technology, Mazda also introduced its new design language, referred to as KODO, which imparts a distinctive and dynamic exterior and an emotive and sophisticated interior.

The common theme, according to the company, is that Mazda builds cars that are stylish and centered on stellar driving dynamics through race-proven engineering. Simply getting from point A to point B is not the goal with Mazda; it is about enjoying the journey in-between.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers.